Patents by Inventor John A. Jeffries

John A. Jeffries has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7256990
    Abstract: In a method and system for detachably docking a portable device to a docking device, the docking device is placed on a stable surface. The docking device includes a pair of moveable rear latches and moveable front latches, which are operable to latch on to corresponding matching slots of the portable device when docked. The portable device is aligned vertically on top of the docking device. A vertical force is applied on the portable device. When properly aligned a pair of alignment pins included in the docking device mate with corresponding notches on the portable device when the two devices are docked. A release latch on the docking device is operable to undock the two devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: David W. Grunow, Patrick V. Illingworth, John A. Jeffries
  • Patent number: 6795306
    Abstract: A method of preventing LCD damage in an information handling system is disclosed. The method includes mounting an LCD in a screen portion of an information handling system. The LCD has a top layer with a particular hardness. Another step in the method is rotatably mounting a base portion of the information handling system to the screen portion such that the portions can assume a proximate position and a separated position. A material is affixed to the base portion such that at least a portion of the material is between the base portion and the LCD in the proximate position. The material has a hardness no greater than the hardness of the top layer of the LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: John A. Jeffries, Reynold L. Liao, Kurt J. Lippert, Jay M. Zill
  • Publication number: 20040022014
    Abstract: A method of preventing LCD damage in an information handling system is disclosed. The method includes mounting an LCD in a screen portion of an information handling system. The LCD has a top layer with a particular hardness. Another step in the method is rotatably mounting a base portion of the information handling system to the screen portion such that the portions can assume a proximate position and a separated position. A material is affixed to the base portion such that at least a portion of the material is between the base portion and the LCD in the proximate position. The material has a hardness no greater than the hardness of the top layer of the LCD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.
    Inventors: John A. Jeffries, Reynold L. Liao, Kurt J. Lippert, Jay M. Zill
  • Patent number: 4911535
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a light source positioned behind a liquid crystal display, the output from the liquid crystal being projected onto a projection screen that has random polarization, thereby permitting a wide range of vision. The screen can be a part of the liquid crystal display by providing a frosted surface thereon which permits diffusion of the light emanating from the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas R. Woodard, George R. Hare, John A. Jeffries
  • Patent number: 4314099
    Abstract: A universal acoustic coupler system includes a pair of flexible muffs for acoustically coupling a telephone handset to transducers (speaker/microphone) of an electronic input/output device. The muffs are formed of an external housing inside which an internal housing is positioned, defining a fluid insulator therebetween. The internal housing has a speaker/microphone cavity for receiving the input/output device speaker or microphone which opens into an earpiece/mouthpiece cavity for receiving the earpiece or mouthpiece of a telephone handset. The fluid insulator is formed to completely insulate the speaker or microphone to eliminate all external noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: John A. Jeffries, Mark H. Ruch